Monthly Focus
College Excellence
October focus
FAFSA Opens + Deadlines Heat Up
Financial aid forms, essays, and college list review.
Your grade
All three activities below change based on your grade.
Future months unlock when each month arrives.
Why this matters
October is FAFSA, essays, and deadlines stacked together. One missed form can cost real money.
This month's action steps
- •File FAFSA / CSS Profile early.
- •Submit early action / early decision drafts for review.
- •Finalize Common App essay.
- •Confirm school-specific supplements.
Activity 1
Check Your Next Step
One recommended move for 10th grade this month.
Read about FAFSA / aid basics.
Activity 2
Plan One Move
Choose one 10th-grade action you'll complete this week.
Activity 3
Ask the Right Question
A 10th-grade question to ask a parent, counselor, teacher, or coach this week.
- “Are my first-quarter grades strong?”
- “What do I understand about financial aid?”
- “How is my activity list growing?”